CLARKSBURG, WV (SWVO) – Tucked away in the countryside of Harrison County is a unique railroad attraction that has welcomed visitors for decades, offering free rides aboard a homemade steam-powered train while relying on donations to help keep the operation running.
The Locust Heights & Western Railroad, located southwest of Clarksburg, is a privately owned railroad that has operated since 1974.
The railroad was founded by Keith Mason, a machinist and railroad enthusiast who built a coal-burning steam locomotive modeled after the Climax locomotives once used in the logging industry.
What began as a personal project eventually developed into a local attraction, allowing visitors to experience a piece of West Virginia’s railroad history.
The railroad features approximately three-quarters of a mile of track winding through wooded areas and meadows. Visitors can board the train for a ride lasting approximately 25 minutes.
Unlike many tourist railroads, the Locust Heights & Western Railroad has traditionally offered rides free of charge. However, the railroad accepts and relies on donations from visitors to help cover maintenance, repairs and operating expenses.
Donations play an important role in helping preserve the railroad and allowing future generations to continue enjoying the attraction without an admission fee.
The railroad has historically operated on Wednesday evenings from June through October, with trains departing at approximately 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Following Mason’s death in 2016, family members and volunteers continued working to preserve the railroad and keep the attraction operating.
For more than 50 years, the Locust Heights & Western Railroad has provided visitors with an opportunity to ride a small steam train while experiencing a tradition connected to West Virginia’s logging and railroad heritage.
Visitors who take advantage of the free rides are encouraged to consider making a donation to help support the continued operation and preservation of the railroad.
The latest updates on the railroad may be viewed here.
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